Northern Lehigh's Caleb Johnson adjusting well to new position

Senior has overcome issues of new position to lead Bulldogs.

October 18, 2012|Tom Housenick

Caleb Johnson could walk around the Northern Lehigh High School halls with a chip on his shoulder, since he is one of the Lehigh Valley's best football players and has Division I college opportunities.

Instead, he opts for textbooks in one arm and a football in the other.

The senior honor student's struggles playing a new position on the football field led him to try something away from practices and games.

A move from receiver and tight end to running back was met with more contact — and more fumbles. So, at the encouragement of Northern Lehigh assistant coach Steve Hluschak and approval of high school principal Bob Vlasaty, Johnson has a football with him throughout the day and even at his house at night.

"I'm starting to get used to it," he said. "My friends walk by and try to knock the ball out of my hands."

Opposing players were having success stripping Johnson of the ball in games early in the season. His problem peaked in a narrow victory over Saucon Valley in Week 3.

Johnson fumbled three times in that game, prompting assistant Manny Guedes to work on ball security with him at practice. It also got head coach Joe Tout to thinking.

Tout searched YouTube to find video of former NFL running back Tiki Barber, who had a similar stretch in which he had fumble issues (2002-03).

"We looked at what [Barber's] coaches did to change how he carried the ball," Tout said. "We implemented that with Caleb and it's worked."

While Barber was a running back for much of his life, Johnson has learned on the fly in 2012. He had been used to catching passes in the secondary and getting hit from only one direction by one defender. As a running back, he's learned that hits come from all directions at the same time.

Johnson is learning well, evidenced by 623 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns. He also hasn't fumbled carrying the ball the last three games. He also has scored four TDs in two of the last three games.

Northern Lehigh (5-2) will need Johnson and others this week when it hosts Bangor (6-1) at 7 tonight, with the playoff lives of both teams hanging in the balance.

The Bulldogs are sitting in fourth in the District 11 Class 2A race for four berths. The Slaters are first in 3A, but also have a regular-season finale against rival Pen Argyl (5-2).

Northern Lehigh is coming off its best game of the season against Northwestern, one in which Johnson ran for 192 yards and its defense rebounded from its worst game of the year — a Week 6 loss to Pen Argyl.

Bangor rebounded last week from its only loss (to Catasauqua) with a quick execution of Palmerton.

What the Slaters have built on is utilizing every ounce of energy running back Phil Vass has. The Colonial League's leading rusher and scorer (1,266 yards, 102 points) has been the focal point of the offense since Week 1. Foes have known that, but haven't been able to do anything about it.

"He's a bruiser," Tout said of Vass. "You can't hit him at the numbers or up top. He might be stronger than anyone we have on the defensive side of the ball. We've got to gang-tackle him and use good technique."

While Northern Lehigh is coming off its best defensive performance, Bangor has been pretty steady all season, thanks to a team concept.

Nine players have at least 35 tackles, led by Josh Pensyl's 49. Michael Clarke (47), Dylan Roberts (44) and Elonn Plummer (43) are among other contributors.

"They stunt a lot," Tout said of the Slaters. "They cross people, then drop back in coverage. There is a lot of diversity in their stunts.

"We have to account for every gap up front."

BANGOR AT NORTHERN LEHIGH

When: 7 tonight.

In the spotlight: Bangor QB Brett Albinson. He has played well the last two weeks after a slow start to the season. If he can loosen up Northern Lehigh's defense, that will open up the box for RB Phil Vass to get a running start.

By the numbers: Northern Lehigh has won nine of the last 10 meetings, including the last three in a row by a combined 104-20 score. … Bangor's lone win in that stretch was 36-32 in 2008. … Bangor has outscored opponents 67-13 in the first quarter. … Northern Lehigh has outscored foes 70-14 in the second quarter. … Vass' 1,266 rushing yards are second in District 11 to Central Catholic's Colin McDermott (1,281).

CATASAUQUA AT PALMERTON

When: 7 tonight.

In the spotlight: Catasauqua's focus. The Rough Riders have a Week 9 home date with Northern Lehigh. They can't get caught looking ahead with a sloppy performance and/or get someone hurt.